Gomez in L.A. ready to start new role as archbishop

The Archbishop Jose Gomez era in San Antonio is nearly over and the new one in Los Angeles begins Wednesday.

Here’s a story from the Contra Costa Times in California about his Mass of welcoming on Wednesday by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Gomez will have 10 months to shadow and learn from Cardinal Roger Mahony before replacing him in February when Mahony retires at age 75.

The welcoming Mass, by invitation only at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, will be live-streamed on the Archdiocese of San Antonio Web site.

If his five-year tenure as head of the San Antonio archdiocese is any indication, Gomez will take the first year or so to learn and listen and get his bearings. Then he will map out a plan, set goals and timelines, and incrementally the character of the archdiocese will be refined.

Only this time, his jurisdiction is the largest in the nation. And its profile is followed internationally.

Catholics in L.A. can expect little substantive change from Mahony when it comes to immigration, an issue in which Mahony was the most outspoken Catholic voice. Gomez is well-suited as a Mexico native for this role.

Otherwise, Gomez is expected to follow his well-established, personal passion of calling for spiritual renewal and review of one’s Catholic faith, which then is reflected in his policy decisions, management of personnel and other aspects of the Catholic community.

He’ll become a cardinal himself — probably in five years when Mahony reaches 80.

As for San Antonio Catholics, an interim administrator will be named soon.